Organic Gardening Tips and Methods A Brief Guide To Herbs Part Two Section One Lovage (Levisticum officinale), Hardy perennial needing sun or semi-shade and deep, moist but well-drained soil. A tall plant, suitable for the back of a border. The leaves have a strong flavour, resembling celery and yeast, and are used in soups, stocks, and stews; add the fresh, young leaves to salads. The aromatic seeds are used in baking and vegetable dishes, and the young stalks may be crystallized. Blanch plants under pots in spring for use as a vegetable. Harvesting and storing; Pick young leaves in spring and freeze or dry. In spring, gather young stalks for crystallizing. Cut stalks after two to three weeks of blanching in spring, leaving central shoots to grow. Propagation; By seed sown as soon as ripe in late summer or autumn, or by division in spring. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Hardy, clump-forming perennial that needs sunny, moist but well-drained, soil. Add the lemon-scented leaves to cold drinks, sweet and savoury dishes, or infuse them. Harvesting and storing; Pick leaves before flowering for using fresh or for drying. Propagation; By seed sown in spring, or by division in spring or autumn. Self-seeds. Variants; Yellow-variegated cultivars, such as Aurea, are available, grow them in partial shade to avoid leave scorch. Mint (Mentha spicata), Hardy, herbaceous perennial that may be invasive. Grow in sun and poor, moist soil. Use the leaves to make mint sauce, in salads, drinks, and with potatoes or peas. Harvesting and storing; Pick leaves before flowering and dry or freeze, or chop and infuse in vinegar. Propagation; By stem tip cuttings in spring or summer, or by division in spring or autumn, or by seed sown in spring. Related species; There are numerous species and cultivars with slightly differing foliage and scents. Some, such as pineapple mint (Mentha suaveolens Variegata), have variegated leaves. Peppermint (Mentha x piperita), has purplish-green leaves used in peppermint tea and in syrups and desserts, while eau-de-cologne mint (Mentha x piperita f, citrata) has a fine perfume. Bowles mint (Mentha x villosa var alopecuroides) has rounded leaves with a fresh, spearmint aroma and purplish-pink flowers. Bergamot (Monarda didyma), Hardy, herbaceous perennial with heads of red, claw-shaped florets in summer. An excellent border plant for sunny, rich, moist soil. Infuse the aromatic leaves in tea for an Earl Grey flavour, and add them to summer drinks, salads, pork dishes, or pot-pourri. Use the attractive florets to add colour to salads and pot-pourri. Harvesting and storing; Pick leaves in spring or just before flowering occurs in summer for using fresh or drying. Gather flowers in summer, to dry. Propagation; By seed in autumn or spring, by stem tip cuttings in spring, or by division in spring. Related species and variants; Hybrids with red, pink, white, or purple flowers are available. Monarda fistulosa has lavender flowers and tolerates drier soil. Sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata), Hardy, herbaceous perennial needing semi-shade and moist, rich soil. The fern-like leaves, which have an aniseed flavour, are used in fruit dishes or are added to salads. The thick tap root can be eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable. The large seeds are added to fruit dishes. Harvesting and storing; Pick leaves in spring and early summer for drying. Collect unripe seeds in summer and dry or pickle them. Dig up roots in autumn for using fresh. Propagation; By seed sown outdoors in autumn, or by division in spring or autumn. Self-sows readily. Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Half-hardy annual with toothed, pointed oval leaves. In cold regions, basil must be grown under cover or in a sheltered, sunny position in light, well-drained to dry rich soil. Grows well in pots on a sunny windowsill. The highly aromatic leaves are used in salads, vinegars, pesto, and tomato pasta dishes. Harvesting and storing; Pick leaves when young in summer and freeze, dry, or use to flavour herb oil or vinegar, or pack leaves in a jar of oil. Propagation; By seed sown in spring. Related species and variants; Var purpurascens is an attractive, purple-leaved variety with pink flowers. The compact bush basil (Ocimum minimum) is hardier but has less flavour. Ocimum basilicum Green Ruffles has crinkled, pale green foliage. Marjoram (Origanum vulgare), Hardy, herbaceous perennial that has tiny, white, pink, or mauve flowers in summer. Needs full sun and well-drained, preferably alkaline soil. The aromatic leaves are used widely in cooking, especially in pizzas and pasta sauces. Harvesting and storing; Pick leaves during the growing season, for drying or freezing, pick just before flowers open. Propagation; By seed sown in spring or autumn, by division in spring or autumn, or by stem tip cuttings in spring. Variants; There are various species and hybrids, differing in hardiness, flavour, and flower and foliage colour, for example golden marjoram (Origanum vulgare Aureum). The low-growing Compactum is ideal for containers and edging. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), Hardy biennial with bright green, crinkled leaves. Grow in sun or semi-shade and well-drained, rich soil. Good for growing in pots. Use the leaves whole or chopped as a garnish and in bouquet garni, sauces, and egg and fish dishes. Harvesting and storing; Pick leaves from plans in their first year and use fresh or freeze. Propagation; By seed sown at intervals from early spring to autumn. Variants; Italian parsley (Petroselinum var neapolitanium) is flat leaved, with a stronger flavour. Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum), Half-hardy annual with deeply divided leaves and, in late summer, heads of tiny, white flowers. In cold regions, it must have a sunny, sheltered position in well-drained, sandy soil for the seeds to ripen. Add the leaves to fruit salads. The aromatic seeds are used in baking, confectionery, and both sweet and savoury dishes. Harvesting and storing; Pick lower leaves in spring for immediate use. Collect seedheads as they ripen in autumn. Propagation; By seed sown in spring in its final position, as it is difficult to transplant successfully. Note; All information given coincides and complies to the guidelines of The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).......
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 16:22:14 +0000
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